Coping with Broken Covenants--A Message of Love

Photo Credit: Utah Disaster Kleenup

As I sat in the General Relief Society broadcast for the LDS church Saturday night, I thought of all of you--particularly the wives of porn addicts. Linda S. Reeves shared a beautiful message about the power of the Atonement that pierced my heart, and as I listened, I knew I had to run home and post it! My favorite part was when she talked about the Provo tabernacle being gutted by a terrible fire. Many people wondered: 'Surely the Lord could have stopped the fire, or at least prevented so much damage. Why didn't he stop it?' But they didn't know what he had in mind. Just a few months later, President Monson announced to a dumbstruck congregation that the edifice would be transformed into a beautiful temple. The Lord had known from the beginning. He had allowed the interior to be completely destroyed, so that he could rebuild it inside, into something more glorious than anyone could have imagined. How many of us have felt that way in the midst of all of this muck? Destroyed. Gutted by fire. But can we really imagine what the Lord has in store?

Photo Credit: LDS Church Temples

I wish I had her words, rather than just my memory, but I don't even have enough patience to wait for the written transcript to come out! So, until then, here is a direct link to the video of her talk. (Actually, I'm really happy I have the footage. Her emotions were half the reason I was so touched. She knows. Look into her eyes.)

In one particular part of her address, she reached out to those who are suffering from the choices of others--because of family members who have broken covenants. She referenced a passage in the Book of Mormon in which Jacob gives a sermon about the law of chastity. Sister Reeves emphasized that this passage is meant specifically for our day, and told us that he is speaking as if the Savior were talking directly to us. This chapter (Jacob 2) is near and dear to my heart, and I have marked those verses and wet those pages with my tears many times in past years as I've struggled through the addictions of my own first husband. The words bring such understanding and compassion for the women and children:

"And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste before God ... to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded ... [and who] have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds. ... Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts ... For behold, I the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yay, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands." 

(Jacob 2: 7, 27-31) 

So many times I've read these verses and thought, 'He knows. At least Jacob knows how I feel. And the Lord does hear my cries.'

I encourage you to listen to the talk and to read the words in Jacob whenever you feel alone.

You are never alone.

Love,

~Angel